Etna Residents Brace For Flooding

ETNA (KDKA) — Some people in Etna are moving belongings up and out of their basements in case of flooding Thursday.

“It’s going to be a long night,” said Nerissa Whitling, who moved some things to higher ground, but has much more still in her basement.

The borough used an automated phone system to call people on Sycamore, Cherry and Railroad Streets to alert them to the flooding potential.

Part of statement read: “You should begin making preparations immediately by removing valuables and other items from your basement.”

“We’re telling people to be proactive,” said Etna Borough Manager Mary Ellen Ramage.

Allegheny County has notified Etna, Millvale and Sharpsburg of possible flooding.

In Sharpsburg, part of 13th Street was underwater and Kathy Cunningham drove up to check it out.

“I thought we could get a little bit closer,” said Cunningham. “The river is coming up pretty high then.”

The 10th Street Bypass closed Wednesday afternoon as the Allegheny River swallowed it up. PennDOT is in place to close the Parkway Central if water goes over the barrier wall, which it’s expected to do before Thursday morning’s commute.